The days of keeping your car engines running while you go for a quick chore are over.

Dubai Police is planning to fine motorists Dh300 for leaving their car engines running. This was necessitated due to a number of reported vehicle thefts because of the practice. "Since several vehicles have been stolen as their drivers left the engines running when they went out for a short while, the police have decided to impose a fine of Dh300 on such motorists," Colonel Jamal Al Jalaf, Deputy Director of Control and Administrative Affairs at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said.

Most motorists are under the impression that they can leave their cars safely for a short time -- to keep the ac on -- but are unaware that thieves are monitoring possible targets, Colonel Al Jalaf suggested.

"Studies showed the majority of vehicle thefts took place when people left them with the engines running while they visited gas stations, banks, fast food restaurants and mosques," Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, added.

The cops warn that thieves drive away stolen cars in seconds and sometimes commit armed robberies with these vehicles.